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NCAA Basketball: Will Cincinnati or UCLA post a better 2019-20 season?

By Ben Andreatta

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drives to the basket as Jaylen Hands #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on December 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drives to the basket as Jaylen Hands #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on December 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Mick Cronin speaks to the media after he was introduced as the new UCLA Mens Head Basketball Coach at Pauley Pavilion on April 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Mick Cronin speaks to the media after he was introduced as the new UCLA Mens Head Basketball Coach at Pauley Pavilion on April 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Looking at Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins

So how much time will Cronin have to right the ship for a UCLA team that went 17-16 last season, including an almost 30-point loss to Cincinnati, Cronin’s former team? It’s hard to say because UCLA doesn’t exactly have a roster that pops out, Cronin is going to need some time to work his magic with the roster, getting his own guys in.

Jules Bernard and Prince Ali are back for the Bruins but look for Sophomore Jalen Hill to come out and be one of those breakout players. Another name that definitely stands out on that roster and is just a great story will be the return of Shareef O’Neal to the basketball court. The former four-star recruit, O’Neal, was forced to miss all of last season with a heart problem that would require surgery. He was thankfully cleared to resume basketball activities back in March per his twitter page.

A lot of people are already writing UCLA off to be a middle of the pack team in the PAC-12, a league that seems to be an extremely top-heavy league this year. UCLA will have a chance to prove everyone wrong and make a statement before conference play with games in the Maui Tournament, as well as non-conference games with Notre Dame and North Carolina. A chance to add some real quality wins to their resume.

Bruins fans shouldn’t expect UCLA to play a “flashy” style of ball this year, Cronin teams have never really been ones to hurt you on offense but rather smother you with their defense. Whether or not that play style is something he carries over from Cincinnati is something that remains to be seen. It’ll be a transition year, a new coach, a lot of young players and with expectations so high for Cronin I think that a tournament berth should be considered a very succesful season, but it’s going to be an extremely tough ask.

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